Ladder support



July 10, 1928.

J. W. MORRIS LADDER SUPPORT FE)- j- Fatented July 10, 1928.

narran srras JOHN W. MORRIS, OF RENSSELAER, NEW YORK.

` LADDER surroia'r.

Application led March 28, y1927. Serial No. 178,975.

rihe present invention relates to ladder supj'iortff; and, more particularly, to a supporting device of unitary structure adaptedk to brace a ladder against shifting movement at its base and also against tilting.'

The invention further seeks to provide a device which may be manufactured and sold at an inconsiderable cost, whichmay be readily set up for use, and which may be conveniently collapsed after use to a relatively compact unit, whereby transportation of the same or storing is facilitated.

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment.

Fig. 1 is an elevational-view showing the device in use.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the base member on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the device when collapsed. v v

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail View on the line 4-'4 of Fig. 1. v

Fig. 5 is a detail view showing a somewhat modified brace element construction in which the latter securing means is adjustable toward and from the base member, and

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings for a more de-y tailed description, 10 indicates a bar or strip of rigid material such as wood or metal adapted to serve as a basel member an toieX- tend across the plane of a ladder L resting at its upper end against a wall W and which is of conventional construction having the usual uprights or side members 11 and the rungs or steps 12. The base member should,

preferably, be of a character adapted to prevent sliding movement of the ladder by engaging or abutting the lowerA ends of the ladder uprights 11. For this purpose the base member is adapted to rest upon the ground G which in the present instance is simply illustrative of any suitable ladder support. If desired the base member may be provided with some means for anchoring it in position, such as the pins 13 extending through suitable openings 14 into the ground. v

To prevent shifting or sliding of the ladder, the base member may have secured thereto a pair of socket elements 15 which may be secured in position upon the base member spaced apart a distance correspondin construction without departing from the f invention.

The base member has adjustably secured thereto at points on opposite sides of the socket members, and remote` from the ladder a pair of rigid braces 18,'the latter being in the present instance hinged to the ends of the base member 10 by hinges 19.` lBy adjustably securing the braces to the base member the same may be conveniently moved from the collapsed inoperative position shown in Fig. 3 where they are flatly superimposed upon the base member to theoperative position illustrated in Fig. 1. served that at one end the base member is pro-vided with a thickened or raised. portion 10y so that theV hinge connection for the adjacent brace member is in a plane slightly above the plane in which the other brace member is arranged when in collapsed or inoperative position, thus enabling the braces to be arranged one above the other as in ln order tol enable the braces to be secured to the ladder at opposite sides thereof, each maycarry ladder securing meanssuch as a pair of substantially L-shaped clamp plates 21 (Fig. 5) which are fastened to the braces by means of bearing screws 22, each plate having a jaw portion 23 whereby to provide a pair of jaws to receive the ladder upright therebetween.

Each pair of clamp plates has associated therewith a suitable means such as the clamping screw 25 passing through one plate rto co-operate with the portion of the opposite plate in. gripping vthe ladder upright.

vwWhen the braces 18 are arranged in the position shown in the Fig. 1 and are clamped to the ladder, the latter will be rigidly held against tilting'movement either laterally or away from a wall W against which the ladder may rest at its upper end.

lt will be observed that the ladder' securing or clamping jaws 23 serve, when the braces are moved to inoperative position, to

It will be ob- HNI loa

lili4 tasten them in this position (Fig. 3) by straddling and gripping the sides of the base member.

Referring` to Fig. 5 there is here shownv a .a modilied form ot brace which is in a plural ity oit' sections 26-27 adjustably united by a suitable encircling collar Q8 having. a clamping set screw Q9. This construction enables the brace members to be adjusted in length to move the ladder gripping element 2l to diiiferent heights, or, in other words, toward and away from the base member. This permits the ladder to be held at any desired height since, it may be desirableto secure the braces to a relatively high ladder at a different height from theV ground or support than a relatively short ladder.

Obviously, the invention is not limited `to the details ot construction lie-reinbefore set forth and such modifications may be made therein, without departing from the invention, as come within the scope ot' the following claims..

What I claim is l. A ladder. support comprising a horizontal base member adapted to rest upon the ground or other support anrdgrextend across aE ladder, said member being adapted to en'- gage and.l hold against sliding movement relative thereto AVthe lower end of a ladder,

rigid ybrace elements pivotally secured to said base member adjacent its ends: and movable. from anr operative position. in which. they extend upwardly from said base member at an inclination thereto, to` an inoperative position in parallelism with said base member, said brace members havingI means serving to secure the same when in operative position to the opposite sides of a ladder a substantial distance above said base member, and serving also to tasten thev same` in saidinoperative position to said base member.

2. As a new article of manufacture a unitary ladder support comprisinga horizon,-

tal base member adapted to rest upon the ground or other support and to extend across a ladder, said member having means to engage and hold against sliding move ment relative thereto the lower end of a ladder, substantially rigid braces adjustably secured to said base member remote from said ladde' receiving means7 said braces beingY movable :trom an inoperative position substantially paralleling said member to an operative position inclined upwardly therefrom, vsaid braces having means whereby they may be secured to the base member when moved to an inoperative position adjacent the same and when moved to an operative position to opposite sides oit a ladder a substantial distance above the horizontal plane ot said base member without disconnection from said base. member, .and said brace members being adapted to be moved to an inoperative position iatly superimposed on one another and on the base member.

3. As a newr article o'l manufacture, a unitary ladder sup-port comprising a hori- Zontal base member adapted to rest upon the groundor other support and to extend across a ladder, said member being adapted to engage and hold against sliding movemen relative thereto the lower end oft' a lad# der, rigid braces adjustably secured to said base. member remote from'said ladder 1re# ceiving means and .having means whereby they may be secured to opposite sides ot a ladder Va substantial distance above the horizontal plane of said base member, said brace members 'being adapted to be moved to an inoperative position flatly imposed upon the base member vand parallelingthe latter.y and said ladder securing means on the brace members serving also to. fasten thev brace members in said inoperative position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.L

JOHN vv.V Monats.` 

